Bio: A nomad-cum-journalist, Paula Rogo is a Brooklyn based Kenyan writer, photographer and videographer. This freewheeling and curious news-junkie has written for Reuters, Clutch Magazine and AOL Patch publications. She enjoys discovering the ins and outs of Africa with a special focus on African food. She hopes to treat her foodie habits to a whirlwind African food tour. For the time being Paula is happily hopping back and forth between New York’s skyscrapers, and Washington D.C.’s monuments planning her escape back to the continent. Follow me @rogo_p
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AfriPOP! Socialite: Tolu Ogunlesi
May 11th, 2012Tolu Ogunlesi appears on our list of ten Nigerian wordsmiths you should know. The man is a jack of all trades: journalist, poet, fiction writer…and twitter champ perhaps?!
An award-winning Nigerian journalist (Arts and Culture Prize in the 2009 CNN Multichoice African Journalism Awards), Ogunlesi’s writing has appeared in The Independent, CNN.com, Economist.com, Publishing Perspectives and guardian.co.uk. His fiction and poetry have been published in The London Magazine, Wasafiri, Farafina, PEN Anthology of New Nigerian Writing, Stanford’s Black Arts Quarterly and World Literature Today.
His hilarious twitter timeline comments on African affairs and gives us a glimpse into the inner workings mind of his mind in real time. Spend a little time with out this week’s socialite, Tolu Ogunlesi.
Real Name: Tolu Ogunlesi
Web Name: Tolu Ogunlesi (But I get called a “Twitter Thug” every now and then)
Best known for: Tweeting; Flooding OPT (Other Peoples Timelines); Befriending The Kola Boof
Where are you from/live?
I live in Lagos, I am from Abeokuta, Sagamu, Ibadan, Lagos, Norwich and fantasyland (not necessarily in that order)
Places to find you online: Twitter. Six months ago, Facebook would have counted, but I’ve now more or less abandoned it. Then there’s my wordpress blog.
When and how did you enter the social media game?
I was on Hi5 years ago, but I can’t even remember what that was like. (Who does?) My first experience of social media actually came via blogging. I used to be a prolific blogger, from around 2005/6. Blogville was last decade’s Twitter. Then Facebook came along, and I took to it passionately. It was life-transforming, really. And then Twitter came along, and I got hooked.
What do you mostly tend to use it for?
I tweet lots of my thoughts / musings. It’s somewhat like connecting the mind to a screen, whilst you carry on living your life. I also retweet and favorite lots of stuff I find funny or interesting. And then of course I meet people – all sorts of ‘em. Finally, it’s very good for staying connected to what’s happening around the world – the latest scandals and news stories and debates – and distractions (what would social media be without distractions?)
How has social media helped you grow your brand?
I don’t consciously think of myself as having a brand, but I guess the truth is that in the 21st century, we are all brands (maybe that’s what Andy Warhol was trying to say all those years ago). Social media’s great for sharing my articles and rants and opinions. Then there is that awkward moment when we all realise that social media can help us make people think of us in certain ways…
What is your brand/message?
I actually haven’t ever sat down to think about this. I think we should ask the people that follow me and interact with me – their answer, and not mine, should be the valid one. If I were to consider my behaviour online, I’d reckon that whatever my brand message is (and I don’t know if I put out a unified message), humour would be a key ingredient. If I were to put up a tagline, it’d very likely be: “You Only Live ONCE. But As For LOL…”
If you could have one person follow you on twitter who would it be?
Piers Morgan. I’m not sure why – maybe because he’s got a winning-combo: stinging wit + occasional ridiculousness + controversial bent + a global platform (his CNN show).
If you could have one person join twitter who would it be?
My grandmother. She’d instantly become Nigeria’s oldest tweeter, I think. Plus I think we need more ‘senior citizens’ on Twitter. Twitter as it is is too young; too many people who can’t imagine a world where there was no IM. We need people to tell us, from firsthand experience, what life was like when Liverpool, for most people, was two eternal weeks away from Lagos…
Who should every African be following right now? Include why if you’d like
Does Bono count? How else could we say ‘Thank You’?
What is the role of social media in the “Africa” conversation?
Connecting Africans – Sometimes it is easier and quicker to go from Lagos to London, than from Lagos to Lome (for the benefit of the Americans reading this, Lome is in Togo, Togo is in West Africa, West Africa is in, guessed right, Africa!). The story of Africa is one of barriers and borders – absent highways, absent flight paths, stupid visa restrictions, etc. You must have heard of the recent diplomatic row between Nigeria and South Africa, with both countries embarking on a ridiculous deportation spree. With that in mind, I consider social media, and its endless potential for connecting people, one of the best things to happen to Africa. In the past, light arms, refugees and epidemics were the stuff that crossed borders unchallenged. Today, information and knowledge are flowing across, through the web. It is now actually impossible to stay ignorant of what is happening in Cairo – well, depending on who you follow, actually.
Who is benefiting most from the rise of Africans on social media sites?
Advertisers, and the sites that serve them, I think. Social media is designed to create, attract and/or dispense valuable ‘traffic’. With the power of ‘likes’ and RT and ‘check this out!’ etc, stuff can go viral in minutes. There is vastly increased life expectancy for links in the age of social media. The page-views party may soon be the biggest party in town!
If you could invent a social networking tool for the future, what would it be?
A platform that you couldn’t simply sign up for just because you felt like. Twitter and Facebook are too egalitarian – all you need to sign up is internet access and an email account. If I could invent a social networking tool it’d be like a VVIP club – but the decision on whom to admit would NOT involve human effort. There’d be an algorithm that scoured the entire World Wide Web for people’s e-footprints and ‘webehaviour’, rated and classified them, and then issued invitations to those it adjudged worthy to belong to my exclusive social network. No one, not even me the creator, would know the criteria for enlistment; the algorithm would be an inscrutable tyrant of sorts. And of course it’d be a closed network, like Blackberry Messenger; totally inaccessible to non-members, and out of bounds to Google searches.
The appropriate name for my social network would be VVd (pronounced Vivid) – VV from ‘VVIP’. To be ‘VVd’ would therefore be to become a recipient of that rarest of invitations from VVd inviting you to join “the world’s most exclusive social network.”
Follow Tolu on twitter
AfriPOP! socialite is a weekly feature that introduces you to the internet’s socially prominent Africans and lovers of Africa. Not backed by a brand or organization, these are individuals who have used the internet to connect with fellow Africans to spread and discuss fresh ideas and thoughts on all things Africa. Their words are their message, their personality is their brand — the AfriPOP! socialite.
What I Wore This Week: Rosemary Kokuhilwa
May 4th, 2012Rosemary Kokuhilwa in a New York based fashion stylist repping Tanzania. Through her blog, Fashion Junkii, she covers whats hot in fashion with photographic splashes here and there of her own elegant style.
While not styling shoots, Rosemary is the style director of Prajje 1983 and co-founder/chairman of Global Fashion New York Inc, an organization that uses fashion as a platform to advocate for human rights.
She does it all while looking fresh to death. This is how she describes her aesthetic to us:
“My style is schizophrenic and always evolving. One minute I can be very feminine, sexy with a little bit of edginess and the next minute I am like going over the top,” she explained. “I think it all depends on my mood and the occasion. I love dressing up. I am always up for new things/ trends and and love mixing highs and lows. When it comes to fashion there are no rules. Whatever seems to work goes.”
In a week filled with filming for a new project, check out her five on-set outfits, for “AfriPOP! What I Wore This Week”
For more of Fashion Junkii’s fly style, follow her on twitter and check out her site Fashion Junkii and tumblr
Monday
For day one, I wanted to be more playful with a bit of colors while maintaining my coolness 
Tuesday
For day two I wanted to bring out some edginess and the sexiness in me.
Wednesday
I love a great tailored jacket and this Balenciaga Jacket has been one of my favorite wardrobe staples to go to.
Thursday
If you know me then you know I am all about supporting African talents. Whenever I visit my country, I always make an effort to meet with local designers. For day four, I wore a pencil skirt designed by Tanzanian local designer Manju Msita
Friday
The jacket I wore today is a last minute collabo that Tanzanian designer Francesca Shirima of FRANKOO Designs and I did while vacationing in Tanzania a couple of weeks ago. It is very light and perfect for Spring weather or summer chill evenings.
“AfriPOP! What I Wore This Week” showcases the styles of the different African fashionistas worldwide. Our fashion junkie of the week will showcase what they wore going about in their daily lives; from a work day to a night out on the town! We are highlighting the fashion-forward, eclectic styles of those that look beyond brand names to focus on a personal style and aesthetic.
AfriPOP! Socialite: Saratu Abiola
May 4th, 2012When it comes to discussions of African politics online, Saratu Abiola is usually knee-deep in the social media arena of these conversations. Well-informed and au courant she is a refreshing voice of the “progressive” Africans in the twitterverse. A former journalist, this Nigerian firecracker or “grumpy old woman”, as she describes herself, is the politics editor for Nigerians Talk, an online bloggers community focusing on Nigeria. If you need a refresher on what’s hot, and who’s who on the social media streets today, this interview with Saratu, our AfriPOP! social media socialite, will cover all that for you.
Real name: Saratu Abiola
Webname: Saratu
Why did you choose that particular name: When it comes to naming myself, I’m clearly appallingly unimaginative.
Best known for: being a grumpy old woman on twitter, editing pieces for Nigerian community blog NigeriansTalk.org, contributing to okayafrica.com.
Where are you from/live: Lagos, Nigeria.
When and how did you enter the social media game: In my former life as a journalist, social media proved really handy with keeping up with news from all over the continent and beyond. You would find yourself first getting wind of a story from social media, then waiting for the newswires to confirm. My focus was on Africa and US-Africa relations, so feeding into this vast world of information and getting so much out of it was really very rewarding. I’m not a journalist anymore, but still work on issues that African countries most contend with: economic equality, human rights, and governance issues. Following people from all over the continent and reading what they have to say on these issues from a point of view you may not have considered is invaluable.
What do you mostly use it for: Keeping up with the news and pop culture. African pop culture is evolving, and it’s a bit surreal to watch MTV Base Africa, then read about FGM and sexual harassment of a woman politician in Uganda. Many societies are in such flux as cultural entities. Watching that story unfold, watching African countries come into their own, is going to be the great story in the decades to come.
How had it helped you grow your brand: I don’t know that I see myself as a brand. That’ll imply that I know what I’m out there “selling”, which is most certainly not true. I’m just out there learning and growing like everyone else.
What is your brand/message: Message? Hmm… I’d have to think on that one!
If you could have one person follow you on twitter, who would it be and why? : There’s lots of people I’m a huge fan of, but their following me would mean nothing if they don’t interact.
I’d love a twitter convo with Taiye Selassi. She’s the ever-awesome lady who wrote the essay where the term “Afropolitans” was first coined. I read an excerpt of her upcoming novel “Ghana Must Go” in Granta magazine, and I’ve read a few interviews. She seems absolutely brilliant.
I’d also love to talk to Emem Isong, Nigerian filmmaker. She’s been in Nollywood for a long time, and you always see some attempt at pushing the envelope in terms of what topics are acceptable to deal with. I’d love to see, from her point of view, what her work entails for her, and where she sees herself going.
I’d also add Andrew Dosunmu to this list. People who come from countries like Nigeria or Ghana or South Africa often have so much to say. Knowing what we know, what we’ve seen, going home and going away…. We always see things with such different pairs of eyes.
Who should every African be following right now?
@kenyanpundit, @semhar, @tmsruge are ardent followers of the embodiment of “Don’t talk about it, be about it” principle. For Nigeria, I’d add @gbengasesan and @toluogunlesi to that, too.
@msafropolitan, @eccentricyoruba, @loomnie are smart and prolific bloggers.
@tejucole is the dark humored Nigerian dude that happens to write well. @binyavangaw is also pretty darn awesome.
I’m an avid follower of Africa’s evolving pop culture, so I recommend following @afripopmag and@okayafrica. @threebute is an awesome new concept in storytelling that combines comic-book illustrations and links to videos and articles on the modern African experience. Check ‘em out.
I’m a politics follower, so that means I’m a huge fan of @texasinafrica, @africaisacountry, @sahelblog, and @allafrica. For Nigeria, I like @mobilepunch and @vanguardngr. @saharareporters are controversial, but worth a follow as well.
What is the role of social media in the “Africa“ conversation?
Quite simply, it brings people together from everywhere and gives you access to everyone’s conversations. You see how these conversations differ and how they’re similar to the one’s you’re having and have been having. I find that the societal underpinnings of respective political crises are often very familiar to folks across the continent: governments robbing people of their rights, corruption, economic inequality, marginalization of ethnic groups and/or of women.
I think social media also exposes us. At the street-level of Nigerian political twitterverse, we very often see intolerance for opposing opinion and the very real problem of tunnel vision, where people cannot think outside the world of Blackberry internet subscriptions and trips abroad. I think in countries with a large middle class and an even larger poorer class, you see this increasingly becoming a problem. We end up ascribing solutions to problems we don’t often understand fully.
Another side-effect of a tight social media network can be the illusion that our fist-thumping matters more than it actually does. Last year, there was a rape scandal in a university (#ABSUrape) that the university’s chancellor and the state governor basically swatted away like a fly and civil society let die, and mind you, this was in the middle of the 12 Days of Activism in November. Many of us “progressive” Nigerians boiled in the twitterverse and help protests that were not all that well-attended and barely got any newspaper inches. But when the Nigerian government removed subsidy of petrol, people hit the streets and the “progressive” twitterverse joined in. The issues of corruption and making life difficult for ordinary Nigerians was easy to grasp, and something that Nigerians all over the country could rally around, and we did. The Nigerian social media-savvy joined in, and were at the forefront of sharing information to news organizations online. What that tells me is that when we connect with the larger country, we are capable of great things. But our sense of morality and things that are likely to upset us about the country are not apt to be widely shared. It’s a sad fact that most Nigerians are likely to excuse rape as a mere male idiosyncrasy, not a punishable crime. The way to take on these issues, though, is not to pontificate on Twitter or Facebook. The country is much bigger than we are, and the more self-aware we are and willing to put in the work, the more likely we will be the credit that we want to be. It’s not enough to have strong opinions. Your efforts off the ‘net are still what stand a chance of making the difference. Twitter and Facebook is not going to save us.
If you could invent a social networking tool in the future, what would it be?
One that measures what people say against a bullshit-o-meter. We can call it “Keeping ‘Em Honest”.
Follow Saratu on twitter
AfriPOP! socialite is a weekly feature that introduces you to the internet’s socially prominent Africans. Not backed by a brand or organization, these are individuals who have used the internet to connect with fellow Africans to spread and discuss fresh ideas and thoughts on all things Africa. Their words are their message, their personality is their brand — the AfriPOP! socialite.
What I Wore This Week: Saada Ahmed
April 27th, 2012So as successful as “Today I wore” turned out with Joy Adaeze and Terence Sambo, we had to chop and screw it up a lil to get the final result we wanted. So we’ve changed the feature into “What I wore this week” where every Friday, we’ll bring all that stylish goodness in one punchy, self-contained and concise round-up of looks and styles from every day of the week gone by. Leggo!
To bring us right back into the rhythm of things, we chose to showcase five days of eclectic style from Saada Ahmed, a New York-based Horn delight (Ethiopia + Somalia) and tastemaker in her own right:
Saada worked for the Six Scents campaign before choosing to focus on her soon-to debut project Sokoni Worldwide. This online platform profiles influencers from around the world and shares their cultural stories via video diaries as well as offering one time shop pieces from each city.
“I started Sokoni with my friend Amina because I wanted to dispel the preconceived notions that people have about certain countries/cities,” she explained of the project she started with Amina Lula (who is also soon to be a “What I Wore this week” participant).”In this case Kenya’s Masai tribe bracelets. I filmed the Masai woman creating the website so that when one purchases the item they can see the craftmanship of the work.”
While also focusing on Sokoni Worldwide, she hosts a monthly brunch party EVERYDAY PEOPLE.
“I’m very eclectic, I like to mix traditional clothing with contemporary pieces,” she says of her style. “I am very colorful and love 70s silhouettes.”
For more of Saada’s fly style, follow her on twitter and check out her site Sokoni Worldwide
“AfriPOP! This Week I Wore” feature idea to showcase the styles of the different African fashionistas worldwide. Our fashion junkie of the week will showcase what they wore going about in their daily lives all week; from a work day to a night out on the town! We are highlighting the fashion-forward, eclectic styles of those that look beyond brand names to focus on a personal style and aesthetic.
AfriPOP! Socialite: Farai Gundan
April 27th, 2012There are some African media moguls in the making, and Zimbabwean Farai Gundan happens to be one of them.
She was on our list of 30 Zimbabweans you outta know so we’ve had our eye on her for a little while now.
In her day job, she is a producer & TV personality on Afrotainment Television Channel & Afrotainment Music Channel in the U.S. where she has interviewed countless celebrities and hosts two shows on the network. But it is her work with FaraiToday, an online and entertainment lifestyle site that made her our social media socialite of the week. With her positive message and bubbly personality, we introduce you to Farai Gundan, our afriPOP! social media socialite of the week!
Real Name: Farai Gundan Web Name: www.FaraiToday.com
Why did you choose that particular name as your webname: Farai is my given name and it is Shona (one of the official languages spoken in Zimbabwe) for “rejoice” or “be happy”. So with the combinantion Farai and Today, it was a play on my name, a constant reminder to be fully present and enjoy the present moment. Not yesterday. Not tomorrow. But be happy. Today. Farai. Today. Simple. And I wanted to convey that message through the blog and let it resonate through the stories we tell about Africa.
Best known for: Tracking and celebrating the success stories of African world-wide; for being on the Oprah show to talk about my first love, Africa and African women & girls; using the website FaraiToday as platform to showcase the best of Africa!
Where are you from/live? I was born and raised in the “City of Kings” Bulawayo, Zimbabwe the second largest city in Zimbabwe after the capital Harare. I write poetry and I dream of a place….” best describes where I am from….
Places to find you online: For sure on www.FaraiToday.com, Twitter and Facebook to connect with my folks! Other online places I frequent are in semi-stealth mode….working on some really cool projects that I cannot wait to share with the world!
When and how did you enter the social media game? Gosh, its seems like forever but I never really got MySpace but FaceBook was a natural transition into social media. I loved connecting with family and with friends and suddenly the whole world opened up in a fresh new and exciting way. From the west coast of America to the east coast and all around the whole. It was synergistic connections with like-minded people, passionate philanthropists…All through FaceBook! I came onto Twitter later on and it was through the prodding of my good friend, Nigerian American tech startup founder, Amaete of Pontaba. And with Twitter, I was connecting, real-time, with folks all around the world.
How does Farai Today play into this? Social media is so critical to FaraiToday because that is how we are able to share our stories with our readers. Gone are the days when people go to newsstands, bookstores, and even websites now but as a publisher of content, you have to go where folks natural “congregate” and share with them your stories. So, because most folks are gather around on Facebook and on Twitter and are comfortable in those spaces, we use those platforms to broadcast our work. It also always for real time connections and real time responses to the stories that are shaping the everyday lives of our readers.
What do you mostly tend to use it for? I use Social Media for engaging with our readers, connecting with them in meaningful ways and for sharing with them the exciting stories that are coming out of Africa! I am most thrilled when folks share links of FaraiToday stories or retweet them to their networks. It is so intoxicating to know that our stories, somehow, somewhere are impacting lives.
How has it helped you grow your brand? The reach and breadth and depth of that reach through social media has been amazing to the FaraiToday brand. I have connected with bloggers from Australia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, the UK, Canada and across the USA via social media. FaraiToday readers span the globe and for that I am deeply grateful.
What is your brand/message? Honesty. Be Happy. Today. Jabulani. Today. Farai. Today. As we celebrate the many success stories of Africans world-wide, at the core lies, the message, be happy today. Our most precious gift. The present.
If you could have one person follow you on twitter who would it be? Why? African girls because I would like to remind them of how critical their presence and voices “at the table” is now more than ever before. African girls represent young Africa and I would like them how great their potential is, the possibilities that lie before them. Lastly I would like to learn from them because I think the universe in her infinitely wise ways as hidden most of the solutions of Africa and the world in them.
If you could have one person join twitter who would it be? My Executive Producer and General Manager of Afrotainment Television Channels. He is a great mentor to me and has a deep reservoir of knowledge and wisdom. He started the television channels from nothing and has built it into a force that is to be reckoned with in media in the USA. He spends much time nurturing my career and sharing with me from his experience and I always tell him I want to share his knowledge with the world but he is fiercely private! I am grateful for his guidance and direction….
Who should every African be following right now? I follow very interesting and thought provoking people, so this is a hard one. But currently I am loving the following tweeps, @africatechie, she keeps me up-to-date with what’s being reported about Africa! @TraceAdjoa, who shares Africa related stories under the hashtag #seeAfricaDifferently and her stories are brilliant! @magattew her philosophy and outlook on Africa is refreshing and quite revolutionary! Plus she founded a beverages company and within five years had raised $30 million in venture capital.…. @kojobaffoe, Editor of DestinyMan Magazine, leading men magazine in South Africa, he is amazing! He shares about the realities of African fathers. @IamDJSbu, he is like a twitter big brother, like an African version of UncleRush or RevRun just much younger! And @AlfredEdmonds, SVP of Black Enterprise magazine who tweets from the perspective of Grown Black Men.
What is the role of social media in the “Africa” conversation? Certainly social media has amplified our voices and broadened the reach of our voices. The “Stop Kony 2012” campaign is an example of Africans stepping into that conversation and taking ownership of that particular narrative. I was proud to see Africans take to Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, and various blogs and platform to voice their concern over We are here to shape the narrative and contribute to a global conversation
Who is benefiting most from the rise of Africans on social media sites? Individuals, families, communities, cities, nations. From suicide scares and kidnapping horrors in South Africa to finding missing persons, I have seen the effects of how twitter has saved lives. Think about it, there’s a person who will tweet roadblocks in South Africa and traffic jams in Nigeria. Communities have benefitted.
If you could invent a social networking tool for the future, what would it be? Something location based so that I can meet up with some of the folks I have connected!
Follow Farai Today on twitter
AfriPOP! socialite is a weekly feature that introduces you to the internet’s socially prominent Africans. Not backed by a brand or organization, these are individuals who have used the internet to connect with fellow Africans to spread and discuss fresh ideas and thoughts on all this Africa. There words are their message, their personality is their brand — the AfriPOP! socialite.
Herds of the Fathers: The Evolution
April 26th, 2012(l-r: Jason Akoi, Tobi Babajide)
Born out of the campus of Rutgers University in New Jersey, Herds of the Fathers is an accessories line that blends both the old school nature of its approach to good quality leather design with the youth and vitality of its designers. Now two years old, the line created by Nigerian-born Tobi Babajide and Liberian-American Jason Akoi has evolved further with their second collection arriving in coming weeks.
AfriPOP! sits down to learn more about the two faces behind the brand, how it came about, their goals, inspiration and what’s next!
AfriPOP!: Who are the guys behind Herds of the Fathers?
Jason: My name is Jason Akoi and I am from Newark, New Jersey. I am currently finishing up my degree at Rutgers University. Majority of my family is from West Africa, Liberia to be specific.
Tobi: I was born in Nigeria and moved to New Jersey when I was 10 with my family. I actually graduated last May. I am currently located in south jersey.
So what inspired you to begin designing your own accessories line?
J: The inspiration for the brand came from Tobi needing a leather backpack. It was kind of difficult for him to find one that he liked and that was in his price range. The brand formed out of necessity. Necessity in both product and life. At the time the brand formed, I was really bored with school and life in general. In early 2009 I was reborn again once we started the company because I felt like I finally had a purpose. The company was started in March 2009.
T: I thought there had to be other people out there looking for affordable things like this in my age range. And there has to be other people that want to carry something great without spending too much money at the same time.
“Herds of the Fathers” is an eye-catching name. What’s the story?
J: We wanted to create a name that we felt could stand the test of time. We wanted to avoid having any trendy words in it and leaned towards something that would stand out. At first glance, the company name looks like something an indie Rock Band would use. The meaning is quite simple. Everyday you live in a group, whether that be school, work, or your everyday community. That is the “Herds” portion of the company name. Out of these groups there are people who “help give birth” to everyone’s style. This is the “Fathers” portion of the name. Our online store, and eventually physical store, will be where these “Fathers” meet, creating a new “Herd”. Herds of the Fathers
You are both very stylish men, what are your influences?
J: My father and my uncles have a huge influence on my current style. I’m more of a minimalist that likes to add a little flare here and there. That flare amongst Liberian men is usually gold jewelry like rings, bracelets, etc. I love wearing rings and I’m always looking for new ones. My father always made a T-shirt, jeans, and a pair of loafers look good with ease and that’s who I try and model my style after now that I’m older and understand who I am. I think the same applies to our bags. We don’t like to do too much and make sure they are simple but still catch the eye of others.
T: My influence comes from my mother actually. She is also in the fashion industry and she is a woman that cared about how she presented herself. I used to look at her growing up and without her influence there wouldn’t be “Herds of the Fathers”.
But also growing up, I was introduced to the Ralph Lauren style of clothing. And I am interested in what he does because he’s a designer yet nothing changes drastically in his line from season to season. It is usually the same thing because that is what he made the company on. I am going to sell me and me does not change that much. A lot of brands will come out with line that’s different from the next season and nothing to do with the last two seasons. Even if I haven’t met him, he has a big influence on me
Do you want to carry that Ralph Lauren philosophy into Herd of the Fathers?
T: Most definitely. We are just starting off. The people that we market to…they like what we are doing right now, so why change it to something else? I would like to add things in doses, but have those same consumers grow with me and the brand.
You were both at Rutgers when you started this business, how did you juggle?
J: It was difficult for me to juggle school and the business, which is why I’m still here trying to finish up my Political Science degree. My mind was always moving with ideas and I got real tired of the conventional way of learning. It became more of a chore than something I actually wanted to continue to pursue. But after long talks with my family, I just decided it would be best for me to finish. The perks of starting a business in college is the huge network of young, hungry adults pursuing their individual careers. You’re connected to the future, so it would be kind of foolish to not use that to your advantage. College kids from all over support each other, which really helped get our company sales and recognition without any major coverage. I think this is the perfect time to get it done because we really don’t have that much to lose. I’m willing to risk it all and be dead broke to see this company succeed. I don’t think you take the same risks later on in life with bills, kids, etc.
What’s your customer base? Describe to me the “Herds” clientele?
J: Our audience is hard to define. The usual customer is in between the ages of 15-30, both male and female. We can go from the most stylish individual to your regular everyday Joe. That’s one of the main reasons we went to accessories, we can appeal to any crowd or demographic. As the years go on, we want to increase that age limit by 10 every time. I look up to a brand like Louis Vuitton because you see people from the ages of 10-100 wearing their stuff and it works just fine.
Talk to me about your new collection.
T: It debuts in about one to one and half months. It’s called the Old Raritan Collection. This round is more of a collection than our first line. Even the name “Old Raritan” is a reflection of where we went school and the birthplace of our company.
How does your first collection differs to the newer one?
J: Our very first collection released in on July 4, 2010. We didn’t have a name for it at the time. We were just so excited to finally have a store open that it really didn’t matter to us. This time around we wanted to take our time and actually develop a theme and a name that had a deeper meaning. We also wanted the consumer to be able to trace a bag back to a certain collection 5-10 years from now when they are looking for a certain piece. It sold out in about 6 months. We have gained so much momentum since then and we think we can make a major statement with our next release.
T: We are now two years in. This is collection IS “Herds of the Fathers”. I wouldn’t say that I knew what I was doing 100 percent the first time round. We have learned more of the business aspects and the design aspects. This collection blends together and it is the best leather out there. You can definitely see a difference in aesthetics from the last line. We corrected all the errors.
What are the pieces?
We have about eight pieces that include backpacks, mini backpacks that work well or graduates or if you re about to go to college. We also have a briefcase bag and a messenger bag. Also leather sleeves for ipads etc
What are your ultimate goals for the “herds” brand?
J: The goal is to become a lifestyle brand. We want to make everything under the sun besides clothes. You never know, might even see Herds leather seats in your favorite luxury car.
T: We want to take it day by day. We’re a fairly new company and we want to keep small and grow into a steady business. 75 percent of businesses go out business in their first five years. They get big-headed because money was coming in and expanded too quickly. If you don’t grow steadily, it’s all going to crumble. Now since the first collection we want to improve with each line and hope to expand into stores and boutiques.
J:My fashion teachers have been Amazon, Youtube, and Google. When we started two years ago we had little to no knowledge of business or leather. It was just one of those things we decided to get up and do and figure everything else out later on. I’m currently reading a bunch of books on leather crafting and I’ve bought a bunch of tools. My goal is to be making my own bags by this time next year. I want to take my craft to the next level and actually feel like a real designer that can stand next to the greats when it’s all said and done. Perfecting my craft.
Look out for the their second collection out son. Until then, visit their site
Follow Jason on twitter
Follow Tobi on twitter
‘Maffé Tiga’ Director and Actor Mohamed Dione Discusses His First African Movie Academy Award Nomination
April 22nd, 2012(photo: Mohamed Dione and Marie Zoumanigui in ‘Maffe Tiga’)
The African Movie Academy Awards take place tonight in Lagos. First time-nominee Mohamed Dione, a LA-NY based director and actor, with his first film Maffe Tiga is short-listed in the best short film category.
Dione is a working actor with roles in the likes of Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Notorious as well as a feature in Andrew Dosunmu’s film Restless City
The Guinean-Senegalese filmmaker and actor will be live -tweeting for AfriPOP! from the awards ceremony. He spoke to us, literally while on his way Lagos, about the state of African film and his own goals with the success of the film. Get to know this up-and-coming film-maker Mohamed Dione and watch out for his tweets via AfriPOP! for the show tonight!
How does it feel to be nominated?
I found out i was nominated on the night they announced the nominations in Gambia. I was in LA at home writing and I got a Skype call from a friend who was at the event . When he delivered the news, I was so excited that I jumped out of my desk chair and started to Ndombolo dance and Azonto. It’s the first film I’ve ever written and directed. For it to be nominated and recognized by anyone means everything to me.
What does it feel like going to your first awards show of this caliber?
It feels absolutely great! Getting flown out to Lagos, Nigeria to be among some the best African filmmakers in the world. It’s definitely the place to be, to see old friends and make new ones. One door leads to another. Dreams come true.
Have you seen the short films of your fellow nominees? Thoughts?
I haven’t seen any of the other nominated short films yet but I’ve heard great things. I look forward to seeing the films and meeting my fellow filmmakers.
Tell us a little about what Maffe Tiga is about?
Maffe Tiga (Peanut butter stew) is a romantic dramedy about a young African woman who finds that love is the true connection between her heritage and her future. After struggling to make ends meet and relationship trouble, an unexpected letter from her grandmother reveals that generations of women in her family have faced similar challenges. Rather than giving up they pass down a secret that draws them closer to each other and to their dreams. Oumou must decide if she will draw on the wisdom of her family or try to figure life out on her own.
FYI: “Maffe Tiga” (Peanut Butter stew) is a popular west African dish served with rice. Many people believe this dish is very powerful…
What went into making it?
It took everything to make “Maffe Tiga”. From writing several drafts, getting locations, casting, set design, assembling a crew of film students, raising funds for pre and post production, renting equipment… We shot in the film in 3 consecutive days. We raised the majority of the budget on kickstarter.com with the help of friends and family. I used some of my own funds too when that money ran out. My partner Stephanie Williams and I were determined to get our production company (Caramel Cappuccino Films) first film complete no matter what it took. With support from friends, family, and the online community, we were able to do just that. It’s been a great learning experience.
What are your plans for the film now?
To submit it to as many film festivals as possible to get more people to see the film and attract possible investors. I plan to do some screenings in areas with large African communities. I’m currently developing it into a feature film and looking for investors to help fund it. I also would like to do some screenings and to show the film in my native country Guinea-Conakry to inspire young people and show them the power of cinema.
In your opinion, what is the state of African film and cinema now?
There are a lot of great things happening with African film and cinema right now. Great films like Andrew Dosunmu’s film Restless City (which I am featured in) challenge peoples perception of what African cinema is. Yes, we too can make high quality art films with mesmerizing cinematography. We can get recognized at film festivals and it can open doors for us to do more great projects. There are lots of great films and filmmakers with stories to tell. We just have to support each other and watch each others films.
In what direction would you like to see the industry go?
I would like to see more great films made and financing coming from African nations’ culture and tourism funds. It could be a great way to boost our economies. I would also like to see an African film studio where we can go to get support to develop films every step of the way. From script to screen. That would be great. Tyler perry has shown us that this is possible.
What does being nominated for AMAA do for you, the film and your production company?
Being nominated for AMAA tells me that I made the right choice by pursuing my dreams of acting and filmmaking and to keep going. Nominations like this tells the world who you are and what you are doing. It inspires people to check out your film’s trailer and hopefully your film too. It helps them discover your work and puts them on the path to support your future projects and your career. AMAA gives you the great exposure you need to take things to the next level. Being the first film produced by my production company, I hope it facilitates the production of our future projects.
What’s next for yourself?
Since I’m a professional actor I’m auditioning in Los Angeles and New York for tv, film and theater and taking offers for new projects. I hope to work on a film in Europe and Africa this year. I have some projects coming out this year like Restless Cityin theaters April 27th. I also guest starred in an episode of Robert Deniro’s new CBS TV drama NYC 22 which should air soon so look out for that. When I’m not acting I’m writing projects and traveling. So expect some more projects coming from me soon!
Send a message on the film’s Facebook page to find out how you can see the film.
For more info go to:
www.maffetigafilm.com
Facebook.com/mohameddione
AfriPOP! Socialite: Kinna Likimani
April 20th, 2012Heard of the Africa Reading Challenge?
Running throughout the whole of 2012, the challenge, headed by Kinna Likimani of the literary blog Kinna Reads, pushes participants to discover the joys of reading African Literature by reading five books from African authors.
It is these types of challenges and all things African literature that have made her blog one of the go-to locations online for dialogue on African literature from the perservation of the form to the new works and artists to note.
She shows us how social media has become a tool in the book world and especially that of the African book world. Meet this week’s socialite, Kinna Reads
Real Name: Kinna Likimani Web Name: Kinna Reads
Why did you choose that particular name as your webname: My webname originates from and is linked to my book blog, Kinna Reads.
Best known for: My blog, Kinna Reads; lover of books, reading, African and world literature; my feminism; strident views on Africa and its development; talking ad nauseam about literacy in Ghana, current project on using social media to cover the 2012 elections in Ghana; loud opinions and hopefully, my warmth.
Where are you from/live? I’m from Ghana and I live in Accra.
Places to find you online: @kinnareads on Twitter, and at Kinna Reads
When and how did you enter the social media game? I started my blog in 2010 and at the time, I was rather clueless about social media. I was very skeptical and initially quite cynical about social media. In other words, I was the typically non-user! But a couple of book bloggers convinced me that Twitter, especially, was good at keeping one connected to other book bloggers. So I joined and, then to my delight, found a vibrant African community. I tend to read more than tweet, to listen more than talk. Though when agitated, I’ve been known to let out a series of rants. I tweet about on books, on women’s issues, on Ghanaian and African politics and issues. I’ve learnt a lot being on Twitter.
How does Kinna Reads play into this? I needed a place to record and talk about literature and the books that I read. So I started the blog. The global book blogosphere is huge but there are relatively few blogs that concentrate on African writing so Kinna Reads quickly morphed into a platform for the promotion of African literature, especially literature by African women writers. Twitter allows me to reach more people. It’s really been fun connecting with other readers and lovers of literary fiction.
What do you mostly tend to use it for? First, I use social media to connect with people are concerned about issues which I care about, chiefly the development of the arts, women’s issues, Africa’s development and its fascinating politics. Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, I use Twitter to source information that I would not ordinarily obtain from traditional sources. I probably click most tweeted links in my timeline; I’m a link addict!
How has social media helped you grow your brand? I like to think that I don’t have a brand. In fact, I’m quite skeptical and suspicious of all this brand talk. It is the sheer reach of social media that has transformed my world, I think. Last year, I hosted a twitter chat that featured a Ghanaian writer who currently lives in London. We Africans have very limited access to some of our artists, especially our writers, most of whom live outside the continent. Social media can be used for such connections.
What is your brand/message? Well now, I like to think that I have a message or messages. First, we need to preserve and develop our arts. We must also develop an audience (on the continent) to appreciate the arts. What little development that happens in Africa is driven by a Western agenda. And that agenda promotes the notion that arts and culture are a luxury. This is wrong in that one cannot expect another to value our culture more than we Africans do. It’s alarming how many art forms are disappearing. We simply cannot afford this trend.
Second, we need to concern ourselves more with what we think of ourselves than what others think of us. So much conversation on social media is devoted to changing (mostly) Western perceptions of Africa. But what do we think of our fellow citizens, of our present and our future? Is it fear which causes us to look outward instead of inward? The engagement should be within the community, across the Diaspora, across ethnic, class and gender divides. Let’s talk, really talk to each other. Let’s value our ideas and appreciate what each African has to offer.
Ghana, and I’m certain, other African countries, has been unable to bridge the social inequalities that we inherited at our independence. In fact, the divide has widened and deepened. Here is our biggest challenge. This young generation must find a way to bridge this divide. We must make our innovative products and services to those who have been traditionally denied access.
If you could have one person follow you on twitter who would it be? Keguro Macharia His blog, Gukira, is fantastic.
If you could have one person join twitter who would it be? Such a tough questions. I pick the South African writer and academic Njabulo Ndebele for insightful and though-provoking writing.
Who should every African be following right now? @GhanaDecides #GhanaDecides DustAccra @nas009 @KenyanPundit @wanjirukr @MsAfropolitan @blacklooks @tejucole @aminataforna @BinyavangaW
What is the role of social media in the “Africa” conversation? Primarily it allows for certain conversations and connections to happen which would otherwise not occur. I’m encouraged by the number of young Africans who use social media to interrogate and challenge the status quo on a wide variety of issues. But again, the majority of Africans are absent from these conversations. Access is limited to the few who are technologically-privileged. This must change. The challenge is to use the African conversation on social media to broaden the base of people who can participate in the conversation. We must democratize the social media.
Who is benefiting most from the rise of Africans on social media sites? Young(ish), middle class Africans
If you could invent a social networking tool for the future, what would it be? A tool that can be used by workers in the informal sector to strengthen their networks and improve their work environment.
Follow Kinna Reads on twitter
AfriPOP! socialite is a weekly feature that introduces you to the internet’s socially prominent Africans. Not backed by a brand or organization, these are individuals who have used the internet to connect with fellow Africans to spread and discuss fresh ideas and thoughts on all this Africa. There words are their message, their personality is their brand — the AfriPOP! socialite.
AfriPOP! Socialite: Karen Attiah
April 13th, 2012It’s always pleasant to get a mixture of smart and sass on twitter.
Karen Attiah gives you a good dose of each if you happen to follow her. This caliente Ghanaian-American easily transitions between discussing politics and women’s rights to pop culture and sports (with a hint of wit thrown in there). If she looks somewhat familiar, she had the opportunity to interview Alicia Keys for MTV base which aired late last year. When not studying at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, she is writing her thoughts on women’s issues in the developing world on her blog More Than A Ruby. Meet this week’s AfriPOP! social media socialite, Karen Attiah.
Real Name: Karen Attiah Web Name: @KarenAttiah
Why did you choose that particular name as your webname: Well, its mah name, sugah!
Best known for: Being a former Fulbright Scholar, being a Master’s student at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, writing about Africa, development issues, and women’s empowerment. I’m also known for being a rowdy tweeter during sports events, acting a Twitterfool during televised awards ceremonies, musing about my attempts to enter amateur boxing, and remarking about my experiences with #BadFirstDates in the city!
Where are you from/live? I was born and raised in Desoto, a small southern suburb of Dallas, Texas. My parents are originally from Ghana. I’ve lived in several different places over the years including Chicago, Spain, Washington DC, and Accra, Ghana. I reside in New York currently. Where to next? Stay tuned!
Places to find you online: @KarenAttiah on Twitter, @MoreThanARuby, writer at The Morningside Post and HumNews.
When and how did you enter the social media game? After I spent an amazing year living in Ghana, in 2009 I came back home to Desoto feeling…well…a bit isolated from the world. I wanted a way to connect with what was going on in the broader world outside. So I started on Twitter. I started by following people who were interested in talking about Africa and working on Africa. Additionally, I was going through a time of transitioning to wearing my natural hair. I became connected to a lot of sisters through the #naturalhair community. I learned a lot about natural hair products, styles and maintenance just through others on Twitter who had been there before. I learned more about my own natural hair through twitter than I learned from my own mother! Since then I have tended to just tweet about my time at Columbia, my travels, and tweets about Africa and African development. More importantly, I see social media as a way to listen and talk to others. The listening part is more important than the talking part.
How does More Than A Ruby play into this? – I started the blog to talk about issues affecting women in the developing world. I figured I would take my Twitter game to the blogosphere, and practice my writing, in more than 140 characters. It has been a great outlet and a fantastic way to connect with others.
How has it helped you grow your brand? – Not sure if I have a brand, per se. I’m just focused on growing as a person and learning as the years go by!
What is your brand/message? I don’t really think that I have a brand or a message. My approach to social media at least is not to overly promote my work or my name. I more look at it as “living out loud”. One thing about brands is that they aren’t supposed to change. Brands are supposed to consistently convey an idea, a feeling, or an association which encourages people to “buy in”. I’m not a brand, I’m a person. The things that I was thinking about, writing about, tweeting about, are not all the same things that concern me now, and that’s okay. While I will always be there to promote and be proud of my Ghanaian heritage and will do what I can to promote Africa, I am curious about many other cultures. If I did have to say anything as far as a message, or the way I approach
If you could have one person follow you on twitter who would it be? I wish I could name someone super nerdy and philosophical and world changing but the truth is, I need Josh Groban to follow me, like yesterday. Because I love his music and have had a crush on him since high school
If you could have one person join twitter who would it be? Why? My 80 year old rockstar Ghanaian grandma. She has the best one-liners ever!!
Who should every African be following right now? @TejuCole. He’s just brilliant. That is all.
What is the role of social media in the “Africa” conversation? That’s what social media is, it’s a tool for conversation. I don’t love the tools, I love the ability to connect and to learn from others who may live next door, or across the world. Social media allows people a platform and a means to put their voices out there. It allows for Africans to put out their own perspectives on issues that matter to them. It also allows for Africans to challenge stereotypes and misrepresentations. As far as Africa is concerned, it has facilitated not only the connections between Africa and the world, but also Africans to other Africans, both on the continent and in the Diaspora.
Who is benefiting most from the rise of Africans on social media sites? The entire world! More perspective never hurt anyone! The world benefits from recognizing and listening to diverse viewpoints from all corners and walks of life.
If you could invent a social networking tool for the future, what would it be? You know, my inner fashionista is coming out and it would be nice to have aAfrican social networking tool that could connect and rate seamstresses, fabric sellers, designers, etc. How many times have you been to a new place, had some fabric, and wanted it sewn, but we all know you cant just trust anyone with your cloth! Imagine if you had a networking tool to find seamstresses!
Follow Karen Attiah on twitter
AfriPOP! socialite is a weekly feature that introduces you to the internet’s socially prominent Africans. Not backed by a brand or organization, these are individuals who have used the internet to connect with fellow Africans to spread and discuss fresh ideas and thoughts on all this Africa. There words are their message, their personality is their brand — the AfriPOP! socialite
AfriPOP! Today I wore: Terence Sambo of One Nigerian Boy (Day 5)
April 13th, 2012“AfriPOP! Today I wore”: For five days, our fashion junkie of the week will showcase what they wore going about in their daily lives; from a work day to a night out on the town! We are highlighting the fashion-forward, eclectic styles of those that look beyond brand names to focus on a personal style and aesthetic.
If you know even an inkling about the modern African fashion scene today, then you’ve for sure heard of Terence Sambo, better known by his alias “One Nigerian Boy.”
His style and opinion is fearless, a trait that has found his a comfortable seat in today’s industry as both a critic and appraiser of African Fashion.
Check out five days of Terence’s style, below:
“I honestly don’t know what I would do if I were not in the fashion industry…maybe I’d be in an indie band or an art curator,” the London based aficionado explained in a past interview with Style Pantry. “Fashion is my heartbeat and I’m lucky to be building a career out of what I love, it does not make it seem like work. Sometimes I get up in the middle of the night to blog to jot down ideas…its an essential part of me.”
Terence first began blogging when in his final year at university at his Men’s Fashion and Lifestyle Aficionado before building his brand over at One Nigerian Boy and also as a magazine editor and a stylist.
So for the next five days, Terence will be sharing his ever-evolving style, something which he admits to having changed quite a bit of recent.
“My style has changed a bit and moved towards a more sporty aesthetic probably because of the fact that sporty clothing is more functional and at the moment I’m back in school focusing on academics not just fashion,” he explains. “Walking long distances is a norm and wearing sneakers are not as alien as they used to be.”
For more of Terence’s fly style, follow him on twitter and check out his site One Nigerian Boy